On Thursday, November 12, a dramatic armed robbery took place at a De Beers jewelry store located in the heart of Paris. Four armed assailants managed to steal jewelry worth over one million euros in a matter of just two to three minutes before fleeing the scene by motorcycle. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this brazen daytime heist. Parisian authorities have launched an extensive manhunt to apprehend the suspects involved.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:15 AM local time, at the De Beers boutique located at 12 Rue de la Paix—a street adjacent to the renowned Place Vendôme, known for its concentration of luxury jewelry stores.
According to preliminary information provided by law enforcement, the robbery was carried out by four suspects who were masked and armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles. These criminals entered the store with a clear intent to carry out the robbery.
The execution of the crime was strikingly swift, lasting only a couple of minutes. After successfully obtaining the jewels, the robbers quickly made their escape on two scooters, heading toward the highway.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that although the assailants brandished their firearms during the incident, they did not discharge any shots, and thankfully, no one was harmed during the robbery.
Reports from French media, including Europe 1 radio, indicate that the value of the stolen jewelry is initially estimated to be as high as one million euros—equivalent to approximately 1.1 million dollars. Still, the Paris prosecutor’s office emphasized that the exact losses are still under investigation and verification.
A spokesperson for De Beers later confirmed the robbery, assuring that no staff members were injured. The company is offering psychological support to the shaken employees and stated that the store would be temporarily closed to assist with the ongoing police investigation.
French authorities have deployed significant resources in their attempt to track down the robbers. The Paris prosecutor’s office announced that the Brigade de répression du banditisme (BRB), a special unit of the Paris judicial police focused on combating organized crime, has officially launched an investigation under the charges of “armed robbery by an organized gang.”
The nature of this crime has attracted particular attention due to its occurrence in broad daylight and the fact that the suspects were armed with heavy weaponry as they entered the jewelry store. Investigators will now focus on identifying the suspects, tracing their escape routes, and determining the whereabouts of the stolen jewelry.